Raranga - Whakaari Aotearoa Drama Conference 2026
RARANGA: Whakaari Aotearoa Drama New Zealand Conference 2026
Date: 8-10 April 2026
Venue: Rangi Ruru Girls' School
Our 2026 Conference will focus on:
Raranga: the first day of weaving - following the child in drama across sectors
Marutau - creating safe and inclusive spaces in the classroom
Whakaako - pedagogy - Drama in education across the sectors (ECE, primary, secondary).
Pūrākau - weaving Aotearoa storytelling and theatre in the classroom
Auaha - changes in Drama Education and future possibilities
Harikoa - finding joy and hope in the classroom - Drama as experiential, uplifting and therapeutic.
Kia Tōnui - Flourish
Join us in Aotearoa New Zealand for the combined New Zealand, Australia Drama conference Kia Tōnui - Flourish!
Ka Mua, Ka Muri
John Paul College, Rotorua
Keynote Speakers:
Jim Moriarty, Helen Pearse-Otene, Lisa Maude - Te Rākau
Hone Kouka
Cian Elyse White
Tīmatanga Hōu
OTAGO BOYS HIGH SCHOOL, ŌTEPOTI
Keynote Speakers:
Albert Belz
Emma Deakin, Red Leap Theatre
At the Heart
SACRED HEART COLLEGE, TĀMAKI MAKAURAU
Keynote Speakers:
Prof. Peter O’Connor
Dr Michelle Johansson
Perry Rush
Ka tipu te whaihanga
RANGI RURU GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL, CHRISTCHURCH
Keynote Speaker:
Dr Viv Aitken
A h-uile bord! (All Aboard)
Toitu, Otago Early Settlers Museum, DUNEDIN
Keynote Speakers:
Dr Vanessa Byrnes
Miranda Harcourt
Tutakina mai ahau ki te awa: Meet me at the River
St Patrick's College, Silverstream, WELLINGTON
Keynote Speakers:
Dave Armstrong
The Conch: Nina Nawalowalo and Tom McCrory
Whakaako: Learning with each other
Rangi Ruru High School, CHRISTCHURCH
Keynote Speakers:
Lynne Te Aika
Prof. Janinka Greenwood
Lisa Brickell
Stuart Devenie
Te Kore: A space to be, a space to belong, a space to become
Waikato University, HAMILTON
Keynote Speakers:
Pamela Bowell
Waimihi Hotere
With Beads of Light
Wellington Girl's College, WELLINGTON
Keynote Speaker:
Patrice Baldwin
Accommodation Options and Information.
This is by no means an exhaustive list. There are also several other hotel/motel chains that serve these areas.
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The Cotswold Hotel
89/96 Papanui Road, Merivale
Call and mention code DRAMA NZ for a 20% discount off their best available rateHotel Montreal
351 Montreal Street, Central City,
Call and mention Drama NZ for a 10% discount
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Hotel Carlton Mill
17 Bealey Avenue, https://www.carltonmill.co.nCamelot Motor Lodge
28 Papanui Road, Merivale, https://www.camelot.co.nzDeLago Motel Apartments
31 Papanui Road, https://www.delagomotel.co.nzAshford Motor Lodge
35 Papanui Road, www.ashfordmotorlodge.co.nzColonial Inn Motel
43 Papanui Road, www.colonialinnmotel.co.nzStrathern Motor Lodge
54 Papanui Road, www.strathern.co.nz‧Adelphi Motel
49 Papanui Road, www.adelphichch.co.nzAmross Court Motor Lodge
61 Bealey Ave https://www.amross.nzBealey Plaza Motel
97 Bealey Avenue, Christchurch, 8013
www.bealeyplazamotel.siteBellano Motel Suites
77 Bealey Avenue, www.bellanomotel.co.nzTuscana Motor Lodge
74 Bealey Avenue, https://www.tuscana.co.nzCountry Glen Lodge
107 Bealey Avenue, https://www.countryglen.nz103 Prince of Bealey Motel
103 Bealey Ave
103princeofbealey.co.nz
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Quest on Cambridge
79 Cambridge Terrace
https://www.questapartments.co.nz/properties/south-island/christchurch/quest-on-cambridgeHotel Give
12 Hereford Street, https://hotelgive.nz/Ibis Christchurch
107 Hereford St
all.accor.comChristchurch City Hotel
699 Colombo St
www.christchurchcityhotel.co.nzDrifter Christchurch
96 Lichfield St
https://thedrifter.com/christchurch/Break Free on Cashel
165 Cashel Street,
all.accor.comWyndham Garden Christchurch (Kilmore Street)
64 Kilmore St
www.marsdenhotels.co.nz
**Some of these providers have complimentary shuttles to and from the airport so be sure to double check this so you don’t double up if you don’t need to.
If you need additional information about Christchurch or the area (walking distance to facilities etc) please feel free to contact our Conference Convenor, Courtenay, via email courtenay.washington@drama.org.nz with any questions you have.